Method of affixing stamps



Patented Apr. 10, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,953,945 METHOD or arrnmrc STAMPS Ernest B. Benger,

Wilmington, Del., assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmingto No Drawing.

:1, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application October 17, 1931, Serial No. 569,535

38 Claims. (01. 216-62) which are susceptible to gain or loss of moisture.

These materials are, preferably, packaged in a material which prevents a change in moisture content.

Recently, there has appeared on the market a packaging material which is admirably suited for this purpose. It consists of a base combined, as

generated cellulose, but it may consist of paper, gelatin, metal foil, cellulose acetate and the like.

When the moistureproofing composition is applied to a-transparent base, the product possesses a transparency which is at least equal to that of the base. In some cases, such as, for example, when paper constitutes the base, the moistureproof product is characterized by a transparency which is even greater than that possessed by the original base.

The moistureproofing composition contains a waxy substance, and preferably a minor portion thereof. In its preferred form the moistureproofing composition comprises a cellulose derivative, a gum or resin, a wax or the composition comprises a drying oil and a wax, while in the third modification it comprises a resin and a wax.

Recently it has become the vogue to wrap the usual consumer cigarette package in a transparent moistureproof material, such as, for example,

a moistureproof sheet or film oi regenerated cellulose. A package so wrapped is not only rendered moistureproof and durable but also, due to the transparency of the wrapper, the legibility of the-printed indicia' on the package is in nowise impaired.

Certain localities require a revenue stamp to be afiixed to the cigarette package by the retail merchant at the time of the sale. These stamps are usually gummed with a water-sensitive adhesive and, due to the fact that the surface of the moistureproof material is not responsive to such watersensitive adhesives, it is impossible to afllx the stamp thereto by the common ordinary procedure, i. e., mere application of water to the adhesive.

Similarly it is impossible to aflix other desirable gummed devices, such as labels, instruction sheets, decorative stickers. with water, to materials of eta, by moiste'ning the type hereinbefore tureproof material such mentioned employed as wrappers onin any other way.

It has been found that by coating a predetermined area of a material which is normally nonresponsive to water-sensitive adhesive with a composition comprising a gum, such as natural or synthetic rubber or the variants thereof, for example,

solutions and dispersions of caoutchouc, gutta percha, balata, rubber latex dispersions as well as solutions and dispersions of rubber-like substances, such as the polymers of isoprene, butadiene and their homologs, there will be provided an area or zone which does not appreciably destroy the desirable properties of the material and to which devices, gummed with water-soluble adhesives, may be efiectively aflixed and secured by merely superimposing the water-energized adhesive surface and applying sufiicient pressure to bring the materials in intimate contact with each other.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method of securing or affixing zummed materials tomaterials normally non-responsive to water-sensitive materials by providing a coating of a gum, such as natural or synthetic rubber or the variants thereof, on a predetermined area of the material non-responsive to the watersensitive adhesive, said coating being responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby a waterenergized adhesive superposed thereon will stick thereto.

Another object of this invention is to provide an article of manufacture comprising a material,

provided with a surface normally non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesive, for example, a moisas a moistureproof sheet or film of regenerated cellulose, having a coating which is responsive to energized water-sensitive adhesives and comprising a gum, such as natural or synthetic rubber or the variants thereo Additional objects will become apparent from the following description and appended claims.

To explain the invention, it willbe described in connection with wrappers, but as is obvious this is merely to illustrate one phase of the invention and is not intended to restrict the invention thereto.

In accordance with the principles of this invention, a material which is normallyv non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives and is to constitute a wrapperis treated either before or after the contents have been packaged therein with a sizing composition which deposits a firmly adhering, and preferably also,'flexible film or coating which is responsive to water-sensitive adhesives. Preferably, the coating is deposited on a predetermined area of the .wrapper where it is agreed that the gummed material is to be affixed.

cient, however, to impair the appearance or serviceability of the wrapper. By virtue of the fact that the portion treated results from a coating, the essential characteristic of moistureproofness of the wrapper is not appreciably impaired. When the moistureproof wrapper is transparent, the film or coating applied may also be transparent with the result that this desirable characteristic is not impaired to any great extent. If desired, the coated areas may be made of a diiferent hue or color and preferably harmonizing with the material packaged. This is accomplished by incorporating an appropriate coloring material, such as a dye or pigment, in the composition. In a like mannenby incorporating in the composition certain fillers or opacity-inducing agents, the

film or coating may be made opaque.

The films or coatings, though sensitive to watersoluble adhesives, are devoid of any great degree of tackiness. This permits the piling, stacking or packaging of the coated materials or packages wherein the coated material constitutes the wrapper without the materials adhering to one another.

The sizing composition, which is employed in accordance with the principles of this invention, comprises a gum, such as natural or synthetic rubber or the variants thereof, for example, crepe rubber, gutta percha, balata, polymerized isoprene, butadiene polymers or the like, either alone or in combination with modifying agents, such as oils, resins, cellulose derivatives, softeners, casein, gelatin, metallic alkyl phthalates or the like dissolved, suspended or dispersed in a liquid vehicle. Preferably, the liquid medium is of low boiling point so that evaporation thereof may be obtained quickly. Toluene, benzene, carbon bisulphide and carbon tetrachloride, either alone or in combination, may be mentioned as a few of the numerous vehicles that have been successfully used. In some cases where for example thegum is used in combination with other substances, such as a cellulose derivative, and it is desired to dissolve the latter, 'the liquid vehicle may also contain a solvent for said cellulose derivative.

The proportions' o'f the ingredients constituting the sizing composition may vary within wide limits. I have found that satisfactory results may be secured if the gum constitutes from 2%20% or more of the final composition.

In order to more fully explain the invention, there is hereafter set forth several specific com.- positions which have given excellent results. It is to be understood that these examples merely illustrate a few of the numerous composition which may be compounded and that they are not limitative of the invention:

Parts by weight 1. Gutta percha 10 Toluene 90 2. Sheet balata 10 Toluene 90 3. Deresinated balata 10 Benzene 90 Crepe rubber 2 Carbon bisulfide 98 5. Oxidized rubber 10 Carbon tetrachloride 90 6. Crepe rubber 19 Glyptal resin. 1

Toluene 400 In compounding this composition the glyptal resin is rolled into the rubber mass in the wellknown manner prior to the addition of the solvent. The glyptal resin, which is preferably used,

into an open kettle and heating to a temperature of 250 C. over a period of two hours. The temperature is maintained at 250 C. for approximately six hours during which time a hot stream of carbon dioxide gas is bubbled through the mass or until the acid number is between 22 and 24.

If desired, suitable coloring agents, such as dyes or pigments, may be incorporated in the composition. Likewise, fillers and opacity-inducing agents may also be added.

The desired sizing composition is applied in any convenient manner to a. predetermined area of, for example, a wrapping tissue of the type hereinbefore described. The solvent is then substantially eliminated by evaporation, preferably by heating and the resulting material packed and packaged in the usual manner and shipped to the user. The wrapping tissue ls finally enveloped about the article to be packaged. These wrapped packages are packed in the well-known,manner, in which state they are distributed throughout the world.

When the usual consumer package of cigarettes is so wrapped, in those localities where a revenue stamp is required to be afiixed by the retail merchant at the time of the sale, it is only necessary for the retail merchant to moisten a portion of the sized area and/or energize the water-soluble adhesive on the stamp with water, whereby upon superimposition of the stamp it may be readily affixed. The affixing is similar to the affixing of a postage stamp on an envelope or the like.

Instead of applying the coating to the wrapping tissue prior to the wrapping operation, the coating may be applied after the desired contents have been wrapped therein. For example, in the case of cigarettes, after the usual consumer package has been wrapped and sealed in the wrapping tissue the composition may be applied in any suitable manner to any predetermined portion of the package. Upon drying, the film responsive to the water-sensitive adhesive is formed. This package is then packed in cartons or the like and the stamp affixed, as previously described, atthe time of the sale or at any other time.

Though the invention has been described specifically in connection with moistureproof sheets of films of regenerated cellulose, it is not restricted thereto since it is equally applicable to other materials non-responsive to water-soluble adhesives, such as, for example, moistureproof paper, moistureproof gelatine, pyroxylin objects, pyroxylin coated materials, synthetic plastic articles, cellulose acetate materials, and even to highly lacquered, varnished or painted materials, and metals or articles formed thereof, such as tin cans, foils, etc.

It is also to be understood that the invention is not restricted to the afiixing of stamps, but that any gummed materials, such as labels, instruction sheets, trade-marks, etc., may be effectively affixed by utilizing the instant invention.

Though the preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates the affixing of devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives to materials normally non-responsive to such water-sensitive adhesives, the invention is not limited thereto. The principles of the instant invention may be utilized in any process wherein it is desired to employ a .1 water-sensitive adhesive in conjiuiction with a material normally non-responsive to said waters'ensitive adhesive. For example, a moistureproof material, such as a moistureproof sheet or film of regenerated cellulose, may be sized with one of the compositions herein described on predetermined areas thereof, such as adjacent theedges thereof, and then upon the application of a watersensitive adhesive the sheet may be sealed to itself.

Such a procedure may be utilized in a process of making tubes, bags, envelopes or the like. Likewise, two or more sheets may be secured together in the production of divers articles.

The terminology employed in the claims is intended to cover the material, either before or after it is enveloped about the contents packaged.

Since it is obvious that various changes may be made in the above description without departing from the nature and spirit thereof, this invention is not restricted thereto except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An article of manufacture comprising a material provided with a surface normally nonresponsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a coating comprising a gum of the class which consists of natural and synthetic rubber and the variants thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with watersensitive adhesives may be affixed thereon.

2. An article of manufacture comprising a moisture-proof material normally non-responsive to Water-sensitive adhesives having a coating comprising a gum of the class which consists of natural and synthetic rubber and the variants thereof on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be affixed thereon.

3. A wrapping tissue comprising a transparent moistureproof material normally non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a coating of a gum of the class which consists of natural and synthetic rubber and the variants thereof on a predetermined area thereof responsive to watersensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be affixed thereon, the transparency and moistureproofness of said area not being destroyed.

4. A wrapping tissue comprising a transparent moistureproof material normally non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a transparent coating comprising a gum of the class which consists of natural and synthetic rubber and the variants thereof on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be affixed thereon.

5. An wrapping tissue comprising a moistureproof sheet or film of regenerated cellulose having a predetermined area thereof coated with a gum of the class which consists of natural and synthetic rubber and the variants thereof, the moistureproofness of said area not being destroyed, whereby devices gummed with watersensitive adhesives may be aflixed thereon.

6. A wrapping tissue comprising a transparent sheet or film of regenerated cellulose having a transparent coating of a gum of the class which consists of natural and synthetic rubber and the variants thereof on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be affixed thereon.

'7. An article of manufacture comprising a material provided with a surface normally-nonresponsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a coating comprising gutta percha responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be affixed-thereon.

8. An article of manufacture comprising a moistureproof material normally non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a coating comprising gutta percha on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be affixed thereon.

9. A wrapping tissue comprising a transparent moistureproof' material normally non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a coating of gutta percha on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be affixed thereon, the transparency and moistureproofness of said area not being destroyed.

10. A wrapping tissue comprising a transparent moisture'proof material normally non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a transparent coating-comprising gutta percha on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with watersensitive adhesives may be afiixed thereon.

11. A wrapping tissue comprising a'moistureproof sheet or film of regenerated cellulose having a predetermined area thereof coated with gutta percha, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be affixed thereon, the moistureproofness of said area not being destroyed. I

12. A wrapping tissue comprising a transparent sheet or film of regenerated cellulose having a transparent coating of guttapercha on a predetermined area thereof responsive to watersensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be affixed thereon.

13. An article of manufacture comprising a material provided with a surface normally non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a coating comprising oxidized rubber responsive to Water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be affixed thereon.

14. An article of manufacture comprising a moistureproof material normally non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a coating comprising oxidized rubber on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with watersensitive adhesives may be afiixed thereon.

15. A Wrapping tissue comprising a transparent moistureproof material normally non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a coating of oxidized rubber on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be aflixed thereon, the transparency and moistureproofness of said area not being destroyed.

16. A wrapping tissue comprising a transparent moistureproof material normally non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a transparent coating comprising oxidized rubber on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be aflixed thereon.

17. A wrapping tissue comprising a moistureproof sheet or film of regenerated cellulose having a predetermined area thereof coated with oxidized rubber, the moistureproofness of said area not being destroyed, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be amxed thereon.

18. A wrapping tissue comprising a transparent sheet or film of regeneratedcellulose having a transparent coating of oxidized rubber on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devicesgummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be afllxed thereon.

19. An article of manufacture comprising a material provided with a surface normally nonresponsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a coating comprising crepe rubber and a polyhydric alcohol-polybasic acid resin responsive to watersensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be affixed thereon.

20. An article of manufacture comprising a moistureproof material normally non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a coating comprising crepe rubber and a polyhydric alcohol-polybasic acid resin on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be affixed thereon.

21. A wrapping tissue comprising a transparent moistureproof material normally non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a coating of crepe rubber and a polyhydrlc alcohol-polybasic acid resin on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be affixed thereon, the transparency and moistureproofness of said area not being destroyed.

22. A wrapping tissue comprising a. transparent moistureproof material normally non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives having a transparent coating comprising crepe rubber" and a polyhydric alcohol-polybasic acid resin on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with watersensitive adhesives may be aflixed thereon.

23. A wrapping tissue comprising a moistureproof sheet or film of regenerated cellulose having a predetermined area thereof coated with crepe rubber and a polyhydric alcohol-polybasic acid resin, whereby devices gummed with watersensitive adhesives may be afdxed thereon, the moistureproofness of said area not being destroyed.

24. A wrapping tissue comprising a transparent sheet or film of regenerated cellulose having a transparent coating of crepe rubber and a polyhydric alcohol-polybasic acid resin on a predetermined area thereof responsive to water-sensitive adhesives, whereby devices gummed with water-sensitive adhesives may be aflixed thereon. 25. A method of affixing devices, such as stamps, labels or the like, gummed with water-- sensitive adhesives to a material having a surface non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives which comprises applying a coating comprising a gum of the class which consists of natural and synthetic rubber and the variants thereof to a predetermined area of said material, applying moisture to at least one of the surfaces of the materials to be disposed in contiguous relationship and uniting the materials.

26. A method of affixing devices, such as stamps, labels or the like, gummed with watersensitive adhesives to a transparent material having a surface non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives which comprises applying a. transparent coating comprising a gum of the class which consists of natural and synthetic rubber and the variants thereof to a predetermined area of said material, applying moisture to at least one of the surfaces of the materials to be disposed in contiguous relationship and uniting the materials.

2'7. A method of affixing devices, such as stamps, labels or the like, gummed with water-sensitive adhesives to a material having a surface nonresponsive to water-sensitive adhesives which comprises applying a composition comprising a volatile vehicle and a gum of the class which consists of natural and synthetic rubber and the variants thereof to a predetermined area of said material, evaporating the solvent, applying moisture to at least one of thesurfaces of the materials to be disposed in contiguous relationship and uniting the materials.

28. A method of affixing devices, such as stamps, labels or the like, gummed withwatersensitive adhesives to a material having a surface non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives which comprises applying a composition comprising a volatile vehicle and 2% to 20% by weight of a gum of the class which consists of natural and synthetic rubber and the variants thereof to a predetermined area of said material, evaporating the solvent, applying moisture to at least one of the surfaces of the materials to be disposed in contiguous relationship and uniting the materials.

29. A method of aflixing devices, such as stamps, labels or the like, gummed with watersensitive adhesives to a material having a surface non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives which comprises applying a composition comprising a volatile vehicle and gutta percha to a predetermined area of said material,- evaporating the solvent, applying moisture to at least one of the surfaces of the materials to be disposed in contiguous relationship and uniting the materials.

30. A method of affixing devices, such as stamps, labels or the like, gummed with watersensitive adhesives to a material having a surface non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives which comprises applying a composition comprising a volatile vehicle and oxidized rubber to a predetermined area of said material, evaporating the solvent, applying'moisture to at least one of the surfaces'of the materials to be disposed in contiguous relationship and uniting the materials.

31. A method of affixing devices, such as stamps, labels or the like, gummed with watersensitive adhesives to a material having a surface non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives which comprises applying a composition comprising a volatile vehicle, crepe rubber and a polyhydric alcohol-polybasic acid resin to a predetermined area of said material, evaporating the solvent, applying moisture to at least one of the surfaces of the materials to be disposed in contiguous relationship and uniting the materials.

the surfaces of the materials to be disposed in contiguous relationship and uniting the materials.

33. A method of affixing devices, such as stamps, labels or the-like, gummed with watersensitive adhesives to a transparent sheet or film of regenerated cellulose having a surface nonresponsive to water-sensitive adhesives which comprises applying a transparent coating comprising a gum of the class which consists of natural and synthetic rubber and the variants there of to a predetermined area of said sheet or film, applying moisture to at least one of the surfaces of the materials to be disposed in contiguous relationship and uniting the materials.

34. A method of afiixing devices, such as stamps, labels or the like, gummed with watersensitive adhesives to a sheet or film of regenerated cellulose having a surface non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives which comprises applying a composition comprising a volatile vehicle and a gum of the class which consists of natural and synthetic rubber and the variants thereof to a predetermined area of said sheet or film, evaporating the solvent, applying moisture to at least one of the surfaces of the materials to be disposed in contiguous relationship and uniting the materials.

35. A method of afiixing devices, such as stamps, labels or the like, gummed with water sensitive adhesives to a sheet or film of regenerated cellulose having a surface non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives which comprises applying a composition comprising a volatile vehicle and 2% to 20% by weight of a gum of the class which consists of natural and synthetic rubber and the variants thereof to a predetermined area of said sheet or film, evaporating the solvent, applying moisture to at least one of the 37. A-method of aflixing devices, such as stamps, labels or the like, gummed with watersensitive adhesives to a sheet or film of regenerated cellulose having a surface non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives which comprises applying a composition comprising a volatile vehicle and oxidized rubber to a predetermined area of said sheet or film, evaporating the solvent, applying moisture to at least one of the surfaces of the materials to be disposed in contiguous relationship and uniting the materials.

38. A method of affixing devices, such as stamps, 'labels or the like, gummed with watersensitive adhesives to a sheet or film o1 regenerated cellulose having a surface non-responsive to water-sensitive adhesives which comprises applying a composition comprising a volatile vehicle, crepe rubber and a polyhydric alcohol-polybasic acid resin to a predetermined area of said sheet or film, evaporating the solvent, applying moisture to at least one of the surfaces of the vmaterials to be disposed in contiguous relationship and uniting the materials.

ERNEST B. BEN GER. 

